Biodiversity Data Mobilization and Integration for Policy and Research
Connecting Belize’s biodiversity data through GBIF
Project Summary
While biodiversity data collection and monitoring is often emphasized and carried out by various protected area co-managers and partners in Belize, there is an opportunity to increase the utility of the data by mobilizing and integrating the data. This project focuses on strengthening national capacity for biodiversity data mobilization and use in Belize by expanding institutional publishing onto Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). With a focus on supporting data on underrepresented taxa from protected areas, and integrating biodiversity information into policy and planning through collaboration with NBIO and alignment with national strategies.
By improving the flow of data from data collection to management to publishing, we aim to empower data collectors to hold responsibility over their data, and ultimately provide greater opportunities for our national biodiversity datasets to influence both local policy and global research.
Strengthening biodiversity data systems in Belize to support research, conservation, and evidence-based environmental decision-making.
Project Components
Mobilizing Biodiversity Data
a. Design GBIF publishing workflows
b. Establish biodiversity partnerships/datasets with NGOs, comanagers, and biodiversity centers
c. Digitize, clean, validate, and publish biodiversity datasets on GBIF, allowing each data provider to act as their own publisher where possible
d. Deliver training and technical support in GBIF publishing
Integrating Data into Research & Policy
a. Identify data needs for comanagers to complete NBMP/NBSAP reporting
b. Deliver training on biodiversity data management, standards, and reporting
c. Produce biodiversity data standards and protocols
d. Establish Data User Group, and create action plan for sustained data mobilization into the future
Methodological Approach
This effort is led by the UB-ERI, but is critically collaborative between the protected area comanagers and other biodiversity data collectors and holders in Belize. To truly succeed in creating a sustainable, effective data flow from field to office to repository, the input and realism provided by collaborators is key.
Publishing occurs using GBIF. GBIF is a global repository where data publishers from around the world can contribute their biodiversity data to further our global understanding of species trends, species ranges, and biodiversity changes over time. To watch Belize’s GBIF contributions grow throughout the project duration and beyond, you can keep an eye on Belize’s GBIF page: https://www.gbif.org/country/BZ/summary
Project Summary
While biodiversity data collection and monitoring is often emphasized and carried out by various protected area co-managers and partners in Belize, there is an opportunity to increase the utility of the data by mobilizing and integrating the data. This project focuses on strengthening national capacity for biodiversity data mobilization and use in Belize by expanding institutional publishing onto Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). With a focus on supporting data on underrepresented taxa from protected areas, and integrating biodiversity information into policy and planning through collaboration with NBIO and alignment with national strategies.
By improving the flow of data from data collection to management to publishing, we aim to empower data collectors to hold responsibility over their data, and ultimately provide greater opportunities for our national biodiversity datasets to influence both local policy and global research.
Partners and Funders
